Speak Out on Child Abuse

Do you hear the children weeping

Oh my brothers...

The Cry of the Children
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Why is there so much silence, so little public outcry concerning child maltreatment? Why is there so little legislation protecting children's welfare? Why do so many invoke children as a means to attract attention, sell products, gain support for some legislation that does little for children, or worse, actually cuts funding for children's programs like Head Start, SChip, Food Stamps and more?

It isn't that some people aren't noticing child abuse and neglect, aren't trying to make a difference for the children, aren't crying out for changes in the child welfare system. Here are a few bits and pieces on CAN in a recent "National News Roundup" in Children's Voice magazine...

• In Connecticut, groups are developing legislative proposals for often invisible children of prisoners...
• In Florida, an abused girl is awarded $2.6 million...
• In Rhode Island, casework supervisors for the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) seek reduction in case loads from their average 16-20 to the recommended 14 each...
• In Washington, faster responses to child abuse reports required...
• In South Carolina, new state law requires schools to develop anti-bullying policies and punishments...

If you want to speak out... American Counseling Association makes it easy.

Or Congress.org by

Or Thomas.gov to find out about bills and laws of interest to you.

Why not find out if your Congress person is a co-sponsor on the bill H.R.3132? Title: To amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs.

Or of the Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006? S.3525

Take care...be aware,

Nancy Lee